On this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, our host is Myriam Robinson, Brooklyn-based Financial Trainer, and she is joined by Harper Spero, business coach, to talk about business coaching for small businesses.
- Harper was born and raised in New York and spent the first 10 years of her career in marketing, events, PR, and digital media. She kept changing jobs trying to find something bigger and better with higher pay.
- Almost every August Harper realized she was unhappy with her job and by October she was in a new job. She did this eight times.
- In 2012, Harper was on medical leave for several months, due to a health crisis, and she realized the job she was in was not right for her. From there, she went to work for a small event production company, where she produced events for non-profits and health and wellness brands.
- There were only four people at the company and Harper felt like they were making a big impact. She knew this would be her last job before she became an entrepreneur.
- After two years at that job, Harper enrolled in a nine-month coaching training program, because being a mentor and accountability buddy came naturally to her.
- In 2014, Harper was able to freelance for her company while she launched her own business. She started as a life coach and then pivoted toward career transition coaching.
- A life coach is interested in moving you forward versus digging into the past like a therapist. A career coach is going to help you identify where you are in your career, what’s working, what isn’t working, what are the roadblocks, if is there a ceiling and how do you break that ceiling, etc. They are there to support you along the way and figure out what needs to be done to get your career to the next level.
- Harper helps people develop their business idea, launch that business, and build that business. She has worked with clients in all phases of their businesses and is their accountability partner.
- In January 2020, Harper decided to offer coaching in a group setting. This allows business owners to not only work with her but also to have a network of other people to brainstorm with and ask questions because regardless of the type of business, all responsibilities of running a business are on the entrepreneur.
- Success does not happen overnight. It is important to think through a long-term strategy and understand that you may need to pivot over time. As you learn your demographic, you will better understand how to serve their needs. It is valuable to have a coach to guide you through this both for accountability and for the loneliness you may experience.
- Entrepreneurs need to have a lot of motivation and drive, and it is important to know what you are willing to do yourself and what you should outsource. Passion for your product or service is also necessary.
- Everyone’s version of success is different, and it is important to evaluate this as you go so you stay on track.
- It is important to say yes to a lot of things when you get started. Later, it is important to figure out if what you are doing is something that drives your business forward.
Random Three Questions
- What is your favorite app on your phone?
- Beach or mountains?
- Burger or hotdog?
Connect with Harper
Website: harperspero.com
Instagram/Twitter: harper_spero
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/harperspero
Meet The Trainer
Myriam Robinson
